130

The knight’s men confiscate your Weapons, your Kai Weapon, your Backpack, and all of your Special Items. (They leave only your Belt Pouch and its contents. On your Action Chart mark each of the confiscated items with an asterisk [*] to indicate that they are no longer in your possession, but do not erase them at this time.)

They are searching Karvas when one of the men discovers the crescent-shaped birthmark on his wrist and he gasps with shock. ‘By the gods!’ he exclaims. ‘He bears the mark of Crown Prince Karvas!’

Instantly the Knight Bachelor leaps down from his saddle. Roughly he grabs the Prince’s arm and pulls back the sleeve of his tunic to inspect the birthmark for himself.

‘So, our exiled Prince has returned from Sheasu,’ he says, with a haughty, mocking tone. ‘Perhaps you’ve grown tired of the city of Mydnight, eh? A little homesick? Or have you come back to try to claim the crown that you forfeited a decade ago?’

The knight utters a mocking laugh and then he steps away from Karvas to strut like a peacock before his men.

‘Mydnight’s hero has come home to us at last!’ he bellows. ‘Well, let us take our hero Prince back to Cavalia and provide him with a royal chamber. We have many … in the dungeons of the citadel! When King Sadanzo returns, he will be greatly pleased with us. And he will be generous too. Most generous.’

To continue, turn to 184.